It was late in the evening and Giles was once again the only remaining person in the library. He went to the study table to collect the books that he had laid out there the day before for research. There should have been eight but he could only find seven of them. <The time travel book is missing,> he thought in confusion. But then it suddenly dawned on him and a big smile formed on his lips. <Finally!>
***
Two days before...
Buffy and Willow were sitting at the table in the library. Willow was doing some research and Buffy had just finished her fighting exercises with Giles, who had returned to his office while she had joined her friend at the computer.
"I'm exhausted. I need a break. Some holidays. Why aren't there holidays for Slayers?" she asked and her friend shrugged.
"I'm wondering what Giles would do on holiday. Do you think he is able to stop working for a moment?" They both turned towards the Watcher sitting at his desk.
"Giles? Never! He was born to be a Watcher... literally. He can't stop working. It's in his blood," Buffy answered Willow's question with a grin.
"But don't you think he was different when he was younger? Like... at our age or so."
"You mean 'Ripper'? He told me that he was 'wild' once but aside from that..."
"No, I don't mean just Ripper. His whole personality. Younger adults are also different from older ones. Less... stuffy," Willow tried to explain.
Buffy in return gave her a questioning look. "You mean like he was ALIVE once?"
"Yes."
"Well, it's hard to imagine, but I'm sure there used to be life under all that tweed once." Both girls giggled.
"I wish I'd met him when he was younger." Willow sighed.
"Willow! Since when do you show so much interest in my Watcher? This isn't something serious, I hope. Maybe you should go out a little bit more often."
"Yeah, right," Willow replied sarcastically.
"Oh, come on. I didn't mean it that way. I meant... you should have a little more fun and stuff. When Oz is on tour you spend your evenings at the library, doing research and stuff - well, you also do that when he's there... not that I don't appreciate it - but maybe you should really have a little more fun in your life."
"Sure. Whatever." Willow intensively tried to concentrate on the computer screen. "I still have some pages to check out. You don't have to wait for me." Maybe her words were a little too harsh, but Willow didn't want this useless conversation to go on any further. Buffy, sensing that, just gave up, packed her back pack and left.
Willow just wanted to print out some Scandinavian myths she had found quite interesting, when she heard Giles behind her.
"Oh, you are still here? I thought you left with Buffy earlier."
"No, I found an interesting page on Scandinavian mythology that I had never heard of before and so I stayed longer," she said, smiling slightly.
"Well, then it might be better if I give you a ride home now, wouldn't it. It is almost three a.m. How are you going to explain this to your parents?"
"Oh, they are away for a week. Another business trip."
<Poor girl,> Giles thought and let out a mental sigh. "Come, I'll take you home," he said warmly.
***
The ride home was hard for Giles. It was the red headed girl next to him that was making him nervous. Now she looked so much like the girl from his memories. It excited and frightened him at the same time.
***
Next morning
"Look what I've found," Willow called out to the rest of the research team, holding up an old book.
"A book! Well done Willow," Xander replied grinning.
"Xander! This isn't just any book. This is a book about time travel spells. I'd never imagined time travel is really possible." She browsed through some pages. "This is so exciting. Imagine all the historical events that you could participate in. Be a witness..."
"Please, Willow," Buffy sighed. "History is already boring enough at school."
"But you could also go back in time to do the homework you forgot or get the answers for a test and..." Xander suggested.
"Time travel is very dangerous... as much as I have read." Giles came out of his office. "Timelines could be altered without the responsible person even knowing about it. History could be changed and important people might never be born..."
"I think we got it Giles, " Buffy said.
"But still it's an exciting idea. Do these spells really work?" Willow asked Giles.
"I-I don't know. I don't think so. P-probably it is very difficult and only a really powerful witch c-could do it," he answered.
"Oh, too bad. I wish I could do it."
"Where would you go, Will?" Buffy asked her friend.
"No idea. There are so many things and places... and persons I'd love to see."
"Okay guys. I think our research for tonight is over," Xander interrupted. "We're not getting anywhere, right? So why don't we call it a night?"
"For once you are right, Xander," Giles said, taking off his glasses. "Thank you all for your help."
"No problem, G-man. You're turning me into a bookworm. If I'm not careful even my grades will get better soon."
Soon the library was deserted. Buffy went on a short patrol and Giles drove Xander and Willow home. As Willow got out, she said "Thanks for the ride, Giles. If I ever get a car I finally will be able to return the favour and drive you home for a change."
"That is really not necessary, Willow." Giles smiled. "It is the least I can do for you after keeping you busy in the library all night long. Good night and sleep well."
"Good night, Giles. You, too." Then Willow quickly went to her front door, opened it and waved a quick goodbye before slipping inside.
***
"Hey, Giles." Willow said as she entered the library the next morning.
"Goodh mormim," Giles replied, just about to shove an apple into his mouth.
Willow in return tried to hide her grinning. <Sometimes he's just so cute,> she thought. "So, do we have to do some more research tonight?"
"No, I don't think that is necessary. I have gathered enough information about this demon moon. Last night I translated enough..."
"Giles! You really should get more sleep," she lectured him.
"It was just another three hours," he told her innocently, returning to his work in the office.
<Cute.> Willow thought again. <I wish I could have met him when he was younger.> Then she mentally shook her head. <No, you're not going to go there. It's dangerous. Giles said so. But maybe... some reading wouldn't harm anyone...> She went over to the wooden table, sat down on it and placed her feet on a chair. Then she took the old book into her lap and began to browse.
***
<Okay, do I have everything I need?> Willow thought, looking at the different herbs on her bed. <This is just too easy.> Then she remembered the most important thing. <Now I'm going to find an old picture of Giles. I just hope he keeps one here.> And so she put a cross and a watergun with holy water in her bag and left the house for the library again.
***
"Hi Giles. You're still in the library?" Willow entered the room.
"Errr, yes. - I needed to look something up. W-what are you doing here again?"
"Oh, I... ehm...forgot something in your office." <I hate lying. I'm miserable at it.>
<She's a miserable liar. But play along, Rupert.>
Willow slipped into Giles office, assured herself that Giles couldn't see her and started searching through his tweed jacket that hung over the chair. Within seconds she found what she was looking for: his wallet! <Well, Giles, I hope you always carry your drivers licence with you.> And yes, she was successful. It was there. And it held a slightly faded photo of a young Giles in it. She smiled, then slipped the licence in her pocket and the wallet back into the jacket.
"I've found what I was looking for. See ya."
"Ehm, Willow?" Giles laned against the table.
"Yes?"
"You don't know... by any chance... where the book about time travel is?" he asked.
"Nope." <Liar!>
<Liar!> "Well, I guess I just misplaced it then."
"Probably. Is that all?"
"Yes, good night Willow."
"'Night, Giles."
After Willow left, Giles had to grin once more.
***
"'Memorize the picture. See the person or place with your inner eye',"
Willow read aloud. "Okay, Giles. What were you like in college." She closed
her eyes and tried to imagine the young Giles from the picture in a 3D
version. <Gosh, this is harder than I thought.> An image started to
form until she had a clear view. <That's it. Now drink this *sniff,
sniff* ...awful-smelling stuff.> She swallowed. <Urgh... now the words.>
She started mumbling a verse in Latin, eyes still closed and young Giles'
image still very clear. The verse was repeated again and again, each time
her voice becoming more forceful and powerful. But nothing happened. She
was just about to give up when suddenly she heard thunder outside, a flash
and then... everything went black.